In the Court System
Maryland law gives certain rights to victim, including the following. A victim is someone who suffers actual or threatened physical, emotional or financial harm as a direct result of a crime or delinquent act. Md. Crim Pro. Code Ann. §11-104(a)(2). 

• Right to Notice of Indictment - The State’s Attorney’s Office must notify you within 10 days of filing or unsealing an indictment or information charging the person who abused you. This notice is given by giving you a copy of the pamphlet, “Your Rights as a Victim in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Process.” Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §11-914(9)(ii).

• Right to request notification of Court proceedings - The State’s Attorney’s Office will also give you a copy of the Victim Notification Request Form that you can file if you want to be notified before:

• Each court proceeding in the case. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §11-104(e)(1).

• All proceedings after a conviction, adjudication and sentencing or disposition. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §11-503(c)(2)(i).

• Any request for a hearing to modify or vacate the sentence of the convicted person. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §11-503(a)(2).

• All appeals to the Court of Special Appeals and the Court of Appeals. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §11-503(c)(1)(i).

Note:  If it is not practical to notify you in advance, but you have filed a Victim Notification Request, the prosecutor will tell you as soon as possible after any plea agreement, judicial action or court proceeding that affects your interests, if you were not present in court. Md. Crim Pro. Code Ann. §11-104(e)(3).

 

• Right to know the terms of any plea agreement.  Md. Crim Pro. Code Ann. §11-104(c)(ii)(e)(1).
  

• Right to submit a victim impact statement to the court in a hearing to determine whether a case should be transferred into or out of juvenile court. Md. Cts. and Jud. Pro. Code Ann. §3-8A-06(c)(2)(i).  The court is legally required to  consider your statement in deciding whether to transfer the case. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §4-202(i)(2)(iii).
  
  

• Right to be present and to make a statement at a sentence review hearing. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §8-106(b)(2).

  Financial Compensation Options for Crime Victims. Restitution Victim Emergency Funds Private Insurance Civil Lawsuit  Criminal Inquires Compensation Board More on these options from the MD Crime Victims Resource Center.

  Right to seek Restitution - The State’s Attorney must notify you of your right to seek restitution. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann §11-603(a). Restitution means that the person who committed the crime must repay the victim, the state government, an insurance company or another person that has compensated the victim for injuries, loss or damage. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §11-606(a)
  Fact Sheet On Restitution

  Restitution means that the person who committed the crime must repay the victim, the state government, an insurance company or another person that has compensated the victim for injuries, loss or damage. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §11-606(a). 

  There are different ways you may be compensated for your losses.

  • You may receive compensation from the state - The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, which is part of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, may compensate victims of crime who suffer physical injuries for their medical expenses and loss of earnings, up to $45,000. In cases of homicide, the Board may pay funeral expenses and loss of support to a surviving spouse or child, or to another person dependent on a homicide victim for his/her principal support.

  • You may receive compensation from the offender -  You may seek restitution from the person who committed the crime.  To do this, you or the State’s Attorney must ask the court to order restitution.  The court may order it if  you have proof of expenses that you suffered as a result of the crime. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §11-603(b).

  Mental Health Commitment and Release
  You have a right to be be notified about the mental health commitment and release of an offender.  If you have filed a Victim Notification Request, the State’s Attorney will notify you when one of the following happens.

  • Mental Health Commitment - The Health Department receives a court order to examine or commit a defendant. Md. Crim.Pro. Code Ann. §3-123(d)(1-2).
    

  
  

  • A hearing is scheduled or the Health Department is notified that the person accused of the crime has applied for a hearing or filed a petition for release. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §3-123(d)(3-4).
    

  
  

  • The person accused of the crime is recommended for release. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann.§3-123(d)(5-6).
    

  
  

  • Released - A facility that has charge of the person accused of the crime notifies the State’s Attorney that the person is absent without authorization, or the court orders the person released. Md. Crim. Pro. Code Ann. §3-123(d)(7-8).

  If the Crime is Committed by a Juvenile

  • Who is a Juvenile? In general, a child or juvenile means a person under the age of 18. Md. Cts. and Jud. Pro. Code Ann. §3-8A-01.
    

  
  

  • When tried as adults - Children who have committed some crimes will be tried as adults in Circuit Court rather than in juvenile court.  More details

  Right to seek restitution - If the person who committed the violent crime is a juvenile, and the case is one that could only be tried in Circuit Court if the crime had been committed by an adult, the State’s Attorney must notify you of your right to seek restitution (compensation for injuries, loss or damage) and provide you a copy of the Victim Notification Request Form.  Md. Crim Pro. Code Ann. §11-104(c)(2)(i-ii).